Improved scraper-attachment to cars



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E. B. WELLS, or NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

' Letters Patent No. 7 3,212, dated January 7, 1868.

IMPROVED SGRAPEE-ATTAGHMENT T0 CARS.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONGERNQ Be it known that I, E. B. WELLS, of Northampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, have invented a new and improved Scraper-Attachment to Cars; and I do herebydeclarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skillerlin the art to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal central section of a car, which is provided withmy improved scraperattachment.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same. 7

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide railroad-cars with a device for keeping the track clear of snow, mud, and other obstructions. The device is chiefly applicable to street or horse-cars, and consists in the use of scrapers or ploughs, one in front of each wheel, which are suspended from powerful springs, that areattaehed to the under side of the car-platform, and which are operated by levers attached at each end of the .ear. I

A represents the platform of a. railroad-car. B B are the axles,- on which the wheels C C arefixed in the ordinary way. D D are the scrapers or ploughs, of which one pair is arranged at either end of the. car, one plough infiont of each wheel. Each of these ploughs is secured .to the lower end of a spring, E, thlejnpper end of which is secured to the under side of the platform. The two springs, at each end of the car, are conneeted, near to their lower ends, by a cross-bar, F. The mechanism for working the ploughsmust be such that it is capable of elevating or depressing the cross-bar, thereby throwingthe ploughs either-off or upon the track.

To the centre of the bar F is secured a stud, a, which projects upwards, as is clearly shown in the drawings. To the upper end of the stud a is pivoted the end of a horizontal bar, G, which is arranged longitudinally below the platform of the car, being suspended from and pivoted to two ears 5 b, which project from the under side of the platform, said bar G extending towards the end of the car under which the pair of ploughs is arranged. The bar G is jointed between the two ears 6 b, or rather it consists of two separate pieces, a and d,

-of which each is-pivoted, in its centre, to one of the ears 6, and their ends are pivoted together. The rear end of the piece dis pivoted to the stud a, while the front end of the piece a is pivoted to the lower end of an upright lever, H, which is arranged at the ends of the platform, in such a manner that it can be moved up and down at pleasure. Teeth are formed on the lever, H, or some other device is applied, whereby the same can be held in any position.

When the lever H is raised, the bars 0 and d are in line, and the scrapers are held up. By depressing the lover H, the bars a and d are inclined so that the point where they are connected is raised above the pivotingpoints on the ears 6, as shown by red lines in fig. 1. The connection of the bar at and Stud (/1 is then depressed, and thereby also the cross-bar F and the scrapers D, the latter being forced upon the rails, with the shape of which their lower edge conforms, so that, when the scrapers are thus lowered, and the car drawn ahead, the track will be cleared of all obstructions. v The cohnection of the bars 0 and 01 must be such that, although the bars are pivoted to the stationary ears 6, they will be permitted to swing on the pins by which they are held to the said cars. For this purpose the forward end of the rod cl, or the rear end of the bar 0, is slotted, and a pin, which is secured to the rear end of the bar a, or the front end of d, fits through the said slot in the opposite bar, and is on the front end of the slot when the bars are in line. The said pin by which the bars a andd are connected has thus full play in the said slot, and enables the bars a and d to be inclined, as shown by red lines in fig. 1. It is evident that only that pair of scrap'ers is depressed which is in front of thecar, the rear pair being held up.

By arranging the scrapers on both ends, the car can be drawn in either direction, and clear the track, while in all the track-scrapers now in use the car can only he moved in one direction. Being suspended from the springs E, the scrapers will accommodate themselves to any slight variations or inequality in the upper surface of the rails. The lever H. can be made to project but little above the surface of the platform, and may therefore be so arranged that it can be easily operated by the drivers foot, (if on a horse-car,) leaving both his hands entirely free,which is of great importance. Generally at least double teams are used for these scrapercars, reqhiring to be controlled by'at least the two hands of one driver.

nvention, what I claim'as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- D, held down upon the traek by means of pressure upon the bar 11, the spring he inequalities of the track, as herein set forth, for the purpose specified. tof the scrapers D, attached to the end of the inclined springs E, ears 6 b, the section 0 connected Having thus described myi 1. The'adjustable scrapers E permitting said scrapers to yield to t 2. The construction and arrangemen curved bar F, stud a, slotted and jointed rod Gr, its sections a d pivoted to the to the operating-bar H, as herein set forth, for the purpose specified.

E. B. WELLS.

Witnesses:

H. K. Smnxwnunnn, E. B. Lovnnme 

